Becky learning the ropes

As part of our Key Account Manager’s ongoing development, our depots are arranging some “on the job training” to allow further understanding of what our drivers often experience with difficult conditions and what their job entails from start to finish.

Our Stafford Key Account Manager Becky Holmes accompanied Matt Statham for the day to get some first-hand experience.

This proved really useful and has provided Becky with some much-valued knowledge. She is now aware of some of the logistical problems our drivers face on a day-to-day basis. It also provided Becky with the understanding of how long the delivery process can take when the drivers rig up and de-rig. Becky has said that she now feels able to explain to the customer any difficulties the drivers may have faced when delays occur on site.

In July 2018 David Watson Transport was the first specialist transport company in the UK to be awarded the UVDB Verify Category B2 accreditation from Achilles, allowing the company to pre-qualify as an approved supplier to the utility sector.

David Watson Transport underwent a rigorous assessment of its policies, practices, and procedures, with particular focus on health and safety, quality, environment, and corporate responsibilities.  The outcome of the audit was a highly credible average score of 93%; an impressive result for a company undergoing its first B2 audit.

In July 2020, David Watson Transport perfected this score and received a Certificate of Audit with a score of 100% in all categories.

The utility market is fast-moving, subject to ever more stringent regulation and new technologies. The best practice approach for these buying organisations is to carry out due diligence pro-actively, screening suppliers in advance of awarding a contract to ensure they meet the required standards. The Achilles Utility Vendor Data Base (UVDB) is the utility industry pre-qualification system used across the UK, providing up-to-date social, ethical, environmental and financial information on suppliers, enabling buyers to procure with complete assurance.

Following the announcement that David Watson Transport had achieved the independent B2 audit certificate, Health & Safety Director, Steve Frazer-Brown commented: “The accreditation confirms our commitment to setting the standards for others to follow, something we’ve always strived to do.  The audit process is quite intense and to achieve such a good score at the first attempt and to become the first specialist haulier in the UK to achieve B2 is something we as a company are very proud of.  To be an approved supplier to the whole utility sector in the UK is an amazing prospect for the business moving forward.”

David Watson Transport provides specialist transport and lifting services to a variety of industry sectors across the UK and abroad.  With over 100 vehicles, 160 employees and 7 depots across the country, it is one of the largest specialist transport companies in the UK.  HIAB lorries, flatbeds, STGO vehicles, abnormal load escort vehicles and specialist rear steering trailers make up the fleet, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information on this article, please contact Chris Treadway on 0845 850 86 87 or via email at enquiries@davidwatsontransport.co.uk

One of our long-standing customer’s founder, Frank Rothwell, is embarking upon an incredible charity challenge.

70-year-old Frank will be rowing SOLO across the Atlantic Ocean, all in support of Alzheimer’s Research!

This difficult solo challenge will see Frank row 3,000 miles through rough seas, day, and night, in 60 days. He leaves from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 12th 2020, and the old romantic aims to reach Antigua in the Caribbean by Valentine’s Day 2021 – just in time to be reunited with his wife of 50 years.

He will be doing this as part of the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, a race event that is held every December. However, the difference will be that Frank is doing it solo and completely self-funded, meaning that every penny he raises will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Research UK. He has even named his rowing boat “Alzheimer’s Research”, in honour of this great cause.

Frank likes a challenge! In 2017, he spent five weeks on a deserted island for the Channel 4 programme, ‘The Island with Bear Grylls’. Before that, he was only the 10th person to ever circumnavigate North and South America. Frank has been searching for his next challenge and when he heard about the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, an obsession was born!

Frank hopes to raise £1 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK with the help of the kind people at Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation who have generously agreed to double any donation he makes, up to a total of £500,000.

Frank will be carrying all his own food and supplies, meaning the boat will weigh half a tonne! It will be tough, but Frank’s motto is ‘you’re never too old!’

To help, please pledge your donation via Frank Rothwell’s JustGiving page. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/frankrothwell

You can also follow Frank’s progress and find out how he is getting on at sea by following him on social media.

Twitter: @Frank_Rothwell
Facebook: Frank Rothwell’s Atlantic Challenge 2020
Instagram: @frank_rothwell

Congratulations to Steve Frazer-Brown, David Watson Transport’s Health & Safety Director.

Steve has been re-elected as Chairman of the ALLMI Operators’ Forum for the 16th year in succession.

Steve has been Chairman of the Operators’ Forum since its inception in 2006. A great achievement (given that the role is put up for election on an annual basis).

Congratulations Steve.

The Operators’ Forum is the fleet owner division of ALLMI and its purpose is to raise the standard of safety and professionalism amongst owners and operators of lorry loaders.

Having a great team of staff and drivers pays off, especially during these strange and scary times.  In our continued effort to improve standards, reduce our environmental impact and increase safety we are pleased to announce that we have been awarded another year of FORS Gold accreditation; well done Andrea and all the team.

Our Training Manager Andrea explains what this means for the company; Predominantly, achieving FORS Gold has meant that, as a company, we are able to maintain our ethos of ‘Setting the standards for others to follow. Our involvement in the accreditation scheme has enabled us to improve the health and safety of our employees, as well as becoming more environmentally aware by focusing on a reduction in carbon emissions and fuel usage. As a result of the savings gained through improvements in performance management, we have expanded our fleet significantly to include a range of new Euro 6 vehicles, been able to increase the size of our workforce and, ultimately, pass these savings onto our customers. FORS Gold is ultimately a measure of quality and demonstrates David Watson Transport’s commitment to continually improving standards within the industry. In essence, it means we will be able to meet the objectives stated in our Vision Statement:

“To provide our customers with a standard of service excellence, through reliability and quality, that is acknowledged to be the best in the industry.”